SHOP ETIQUETTE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 286, 28 July 1932, Page 6

SHOP ETIQUETTE

VARIQUS POLICIES OF CORDIAL BUSINESS GREETINGS DISCUSSED. Should shop assistants greet customers with no fair words, but merely an engaging smile, or should they break the ice with a salutation on the state of the weather? Mr. Bernard Ely (Wimbledon) told the executive committee of the Drapers' Chamber of Trade that he disapproved of the practice with a "Good morning, madam," or a "Good afternoon, madam." "I tell my assistants not to do it," he said. "Once I heard an assistant say 'Good morning' to a prospectlve customer — a woman. The woman said: T really did not come to discuss the weather. What I have come for is a pair of gloves.' I have borne that in mind sines. The best method is a pleasant, engaging smile from the assistant, witiiout comments on the weather." Mr. P. A. Best, vice-president, said: "I entirely disagree with the pleasant dumb reception. The dumb approaeh is not as good as the pleasant vocal approaeh." Miss Mackay, who trains all the saies assistants of Harrods, told a representative of the Daily Telegraph thta a courteous greeting was always recommended to her pupils. "Perhaps very infreqnently a customer will ignore the greeting or indicate disapproval, but it is for the assistant to use personal judgment and tact on such ocacsions. 'Good morning' is an excellent opening — better, for instance than 'Can I help you?' One girl I knew said, inadvertently : "Can I help you out?' The reply c.am's at once: 'Thank you, I have just come in'." A Derry and Toms buyer said: "Most people, especially the women, like to take their time over shopping and make it as pleasant as p'ossible. The more fri'sndly and cordial the relations established betwem buyer and seller the happier is the customer. I am all in favour of a friendly greeting." A high ofncial at Selfridge's said: "Nobody visiting a strange house likes to be made to speak first, and it is the same in business. The customer must be made to feel at ease frcm xhe start, and a smiling 'Good morning' is a very good form of greeting."